Considering there are currently over 65 Latinos in regular roles on network and cable TV series, showing up every week in more than 50 programs, you’d think that a few of them would find their way into the Emmy nominations for acting, writing, and directing. But the field is very thin this year.
It’s almost certain the red carpet at the Emmy’s will be awash with beautiful Latinas and Latinos–it is every year. Expect to see all the Latino cops, lawyers, doctors, mothers, and even the occasional Devious Maid on display in their finest fashion-forward outfits. But you won’t see very many of them on the nomination ballot this year – fewer than ever, in fact. This year there was a grand total of four–four–Latinos nominated for Emmys in the acting, writing, or directing categories, with Louis C.K. receiving a phenomenal and well-deserved seven nominations across the board, Bobby Cannavale seeing two nominations, in Drama and Comedy, and only two other Latinos showing up at all: Sofía Vergara for Modern Family and Morena Baccarin for Homeland.
That’s from a total of 145 nominees — slightly more than 2 percent.
Louis C.K.
By far the biggest winner on the list–in any form, in any ethnicity–is Louis C.K. He received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Saturday Night Live, for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Variety Special for Oh, My God, for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Oh, My God, and for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, also for Oh, My God.
Bobby Cannavale (left)
Bobby Cannavale saw two nominations–for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work on Boardwalk Empire, and for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for his appearance in Nurse Jackie–running against Louie, as it happens. (And to repeat last year’s rhetorical question: Nurse Jackie is a comedy?
Sofía Vergara
Sofía Vergara received her annual nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Modern Family–still “supporting,” though she is now the highest paid Latina and highest paid actress on any series.
Morena Baccarin, much-beloved for her work on Firefly and V, received her first Emmy nomination ever for Homeland
Morena Baccarin
In a trend that would be disturbing if it wasn’t so ancient and consistent, the Emmys continue to be dominated by Anglo-Europeans; the number of nominees of any color–African-American, Latino, Asian, or Native American–in the acting, writing, and directing categories can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand, despite the changing faces (and casts) of programming up and down the dial.
Best of luck to Louis, Bobby, Sofía, and Morena. And you’re sure to see many of your favorite Latino stars at the show. And maybe you should: after all, it’s good business to show up at the ceremony no matter what. Publicity is publicity, and literally millions of people will be watching that red carpet and the elegant and beautiful presenters. But as the awards go out, in a ceremony beginning at 8P on CBS, hosted by the impossibly charming Neil Patrick Harris, Latinos should forget the math behind the merriment.
65 Latinos regularly appearing on more than 50 programs in production. Four out of 145 nominees.
Two percent. Quien sabe…
